Here’s the science behind nuclear weapons testing

What’s Happening

Listen up: Nuclear weapons haven’t been tested in the United States since 1992.

Find out why, and what could happen if the hiatus ends. News Physics Here’s the science behind nuclear weapons testing President Trump wants the U. (let that sink in)

To resume nuclear weapons tests.

The Details

See what that would mean Play the video Play By Emily Conover 9 hours ago this: via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Nuclear weapons tests were once a regular occurrence, but most countries haven’t tested in decades, following the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1996. Now, that moratorium might be nearing an end.

President Donald Trump, have called for tests to resume. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was signed but not ratified by the U.

Why This Matters

And a few other holdouts, which means the treaty hasn’t come into force. Up to now, most countries have abided anyway. The last nuclear test was performed in 2017 , the only country to test a weapon this century.

Scientists and researchers are watching this development closely.

Key Takeaways

• For our We summarize the week’s scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
• Scientists rn certify the capabilities of nuclear weapons using a variety of experiments and computer simulations .
• As part of a program called Stockpile Stewardship, these studies provide evidence that the weapons work — no nuclear blasts needed.
• Watch the video for more on how nuclear weapons are understood scientifically and what a resumption of testing could entail.

The Bottom Line

Watch the video for more on how nuclear weapons are understood scientifically and what a resumption of testing could entail. Nuclear weapons, broke down How fission and fusion power nuclear weapons How modern nuclear weapons testing differs from past explosive tests Environmental consequences of above-ground, underground, and modern nuclear testing Transcript The United States hasnt tested a nuclear weapon since 1992, but that era of restraint may be about to end.

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